Fate of the Sun King by Nisha J. Tuli Publisher: Forever Pub Date: 6/4/2024
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Fate of the Sun King by Nisha J. Tuli is the third book in Artefacts of Ouranos series. Lor, now in possession of the Heart Crown, must evade power-hungry rulers and unlock her magic to reclaim her family’s legacy. As she battles enemies and her feelings for the Aurora Prince, she discovers the truth about the Artefacts, with her future hanging in the balance.
Fate of the Sun King was one of my most anticipated June reads! I absolutely loved Trial of the Sun Queen and while Rule of the Aurora King was slower, I appreciated it for the deeper dive into the characters’ pasts. However, I had mixed feelings about Fate of the Sun King and it may be my least favorite in the series so far. The much-anticipated connection between Lor and Nadir felt disappointing and lackluster. The multiple POVs and subplots, though initially intriguing, ended up slowing down the story. I did enjoy learning more about Lor’s siblings, particularly their backstories and character development. Unfortunately, the pacing was extremely slow and repetitive, with too much planning and not enough action at the beginning, making the eventual action scenes feel underwhelming. Despite these issues, a few of the last chapters did manage to pull me back into the story and the book ended on a cliffhanger. I’m hoping the final installment in November will have a great conclusion to the series.
Heir by Sabaa Tahir Publisher: Penguin Teen Pub Date: 10/1/2024
Thank you to Penguin Teen for the free advanced copy and PR box for Heir.
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Heir by Sabaa Tahir, the first book in the Heir series, follows the intertwined lives of Aiz, an orphan driven by vengeance and love for her people, Sirsha, a banished tracker hunting a child killer, and Quil, the reluctant crown prince grappling with his tragic lineage. Their paths converge as they face the burdens of power, love, and the consequences of greed. This dark and captivating journey explores the costs of their choices on their lives and hearts.
Heir has been one of my most anticipated reads this year! I was excited to learn that it takes place 20 years after the Ember series, keeping it in the same universe. Although some say you can read this duology as a standalone, I disagree. The references and backstory are linked to Ember, and without that context, it might not make sense.
Heir is told from multiple perspectives and is extremely fast-paced. My favorite perspectives were Sirsha and Quil. The character development and building tension kept me flying through the pages. It was refreshing to see some of the Ember characters as supporting roles and interesting to observe how they fit into this new narrative. I took my time with this book, savoring all the details that Sabaa Tahir sprinkles throughout the story. There were a few twists I anticipated, but not in the way I expected. There are some graphic scenes that made me pause and put the book down for a bit. The only perspective I didn’t enjoy as much was Aiz’s. Her character and actions felt too predictable, but I understood her perspective was necessary to grasp the full depth of the story. The book ends with a cliffhanger, leaving me eagerly awaiting the second book! Overall, I would rate this 4.5 stars and rounded up to 5 stars on Goodreads. If you enjoy high fantasy and loved the Ember series, I highly recommend picking this one up.
Trial of the Sun Queen by Nisha J. Tuli Publisher: Forever Pub Date: 9/12/2023
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Trial of the Sun Queen by Nisha J Tuli is the first book in the Artefacts of Ouranos series. This new adult fantasy follows Lor, a long-suffering captive, who gets an unexpected chance at freedom when she’s thrust into a deadly competition for the Sun King’s heart. As she competes against nine other tributes, she must not only win but also navigate the challenges of a court she doesn’t belong to and fend off rivals who want her eliminated.
I originally came across this series thanks to Forever. I was so happy to see that this book and the second book are available on kindle unlimited so I decided to give it a try. The best way to describe Trial of the Sun Queen is its A Court of Thorns and Roses meets The Bachelor. I was pleasantly surprised there wasn’t more world building in this book as that’s what typically happens in the first book of a series. It was action-packed and I found each of the trials to be intriguing. The Sun King’s behavior felt somewhat predictable, but I thoroughly enjoyed Lor’s character and her unwavering love for her siblings. As for Nadir’s perspective, I’m expecting his purpose will become clearer in the second book. Just a heads up, the first book ends on a cliffhanger.
Rule of the Aurora King – Book 2
Rule of the Aurora King by Nisha J. Tuli Publisher: Forever Pub Date: 9/12/2023
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Rule of the Aurora King by Nisha J. Tuli is the second book in the Artefacts of Ouranos series. Rule of the Aurora King is a true sequel and I recommend reading Trial of the Sun Queen first.
Note: I would recommend reading this review after you finish reading Trial of the Sun Queen so read at your own discretion.
Iron Flame by Rebecca Yarros Publisher: Red Tower Books Pub Date: 11/7/2023
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Iron Flame by Rebecca Yarros is the second book in the Empyrean series. I recommend reading Fourth Wing, the first book, before diving into Iron Flame as the latter is a true sequel and can’t be read as a standalone.
Note: The following review may contain spoilers so read at your own discretion.
Starling House by Alix E. Harrow Publisher: Tor Pub Date: 10/3/2023
Rating: ⭐️⭐️
Starling House was my October @bookofthemonth pick and is also #reesesbookclub October pick.
In the dying town of Eden, there’s a spooky house known for a vanished author, E. Starling, and his heir, Arthur. Opal takes a job there to help her brother, but the house starts feeling like home. As dark forces converge on Starling House, Opal and Arthur must decide whether to unearth long-buried secrets or let Eden succumb to literal nightmares if they want to secure their newfound home.
I was initially drawn in by the intriguing premise of the book. I liked the illustrations scattered throughout the book and wished there were more of them. I found the choice to use first person for Opal and third person for Arthur to be a bit odd. Opal and Arthur came across as more juvenile than I expected for characters in their 20s, and their development felt somewhat flat. The footnotes in the story didn’t seem to have a clear purpose especially since they were abundant at the beginning but disappeared as the story progressed. The pacing was also off, with a very slow start, and it took a while to learn about the history of the house, which was a bit frustrating. Additionally, the book’s genre was a bit confusing—it didn’t fit neatly into a thriller or horror category, but I suppose it falls under contemporary fiction with elements of magical realism. Overall, this book wasn’t for me.
The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches by Sangu Mandanna Publisher: Berkley Pub Date: 8/23/2022
Thank you to Berkley for the free finished copy in exchange for my honest review.
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
GoodReads Synopsis: As one of the few witches in Britain, Mika Moon knows she has to hide her magic, keep her head down, and stay away from other witches so their powers don’t mingle and draw attention. And as an orphan who lost her parents at a young age and was raised by strangers, she’s used to being alone and she follows the rules…with one exception: an online account, where she posts videos pretending to be a witch. She thinks no one will take it seriously.
But someone does. An unexpected message arrives, begging her to travel to the remote and mysterious Nowhere House to teach three young witches how to control their magic. It breaks all of the rules, but Mika goes anyway, and is immediately tangled up in the lives and secrets of not only her three charges, but also an absent archaeologist, a retired actor, two long-suffering caretakers, and…Jamie. The handsome and prickly librarian of Nowhere House would do anything to protect the children, and as far as he’s concerned, a stranger like Mika is a threat. An irritatingly appealing threat.
As Mika begins to find her place at Nowhere House, the thought of belonging somewhere begins to feel like a real possibility. But magic isn’t the only danger in the world, and when a threat comes knocking at their door, Mika will need to decide whether to risk everything to protect a found family she didn’t know she was looking for….
Review: The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches is a fantasy romance and the first book I’ve read from Sangu Mandanna. This fantasy romance book contains grumpy/sunshine trope and explores themes of belonging, found family, identity, and kindness. Overall, I enjoyed this book! This was a book that tugged my heartstrings. I really loved that the theme of found family was the main focus and the romance was secondary. I liked how the setting was a character in itself as well. This was the perfect witchy read to start spooky season! Highly recommend if you love witchy books with a dash of romance in them!
Kaikeyi by Vaishnavi Patel Publisher: Redhook Pub Date: 04/26/2022
Thank you to Hachette audio for the free audiobook copy on LibroFM in exchange for my honest review.
Rating: ⭐️⭐️
GoodReads Synopsis: “I was born on the full moon under an auspicious constellation, the holiest of positions — much good it did me.”
So begins Kaikeyi’s story. The only daughter of the kingdom of Kekaya, she is raised on tales about the might and benevolence of the gods: how they churned the vast ocean to obtain the nectar of immortality, how they vanquish evil and ensure the land of Bharat prospers, and how they offer powerful boons to the devout and the wise. Yet she watches as her father unceremoniously banishes her mother, listens as her own worth is reduced to how great a marriage alliance she can secure. And when she calls upon the gods for help, they never seem to hear.
Desperate for some measure of independence, she turns to the texts she once read with her mother and discovers a magic that is hers alone. With this power, Kaikeyi transforms herself from an overlooked princess into a warrior, diplomat, and most favored queen, determined to carve a better world for herself and the women around her.
But as the evil from her childhood stories threatens the cosmic order, the path she has forged clashes with the destiny the gods have chosen for her family. And Kaikeyi must decide if resistance is worth the destruction it will wreak — and what legacy she intends to leave behind.
A stunning debut from a powerful new voice, Kaikeyi is a tale of fate, family, courage, and heartbreak—of an extraordinary woman determined to leave her mark in a world where gods and men dictate the shape of things to come.
Review:Kaikeyi is told from the perspective of the villainous queen/second consort of King Dasharatha in the Hindu epic story, Ramayana. Kaikeyi explores themes of family, destiny, patriarchy, and courage. I really wanted to love this book, but ended up sorely disappointed. I appreciated the author’s note in the beginning where she explains that this story is more of a ‘what-if’ style alternative than the original story of Ramayana. When I began the book, I went in with an open mind and I was invested in the storyline. I liked the way the author gave us a glimpse of Kaikeyi’s childhood. About half way through was when I started to see issues and disengaged. I tried to keep in mind that this is not going to be close the original story, but I was annoyed with the way that Ram and Sita were portrayed. Both of these characters are well-liked and heroic in the original story, but in this one, the author made these characters the complete opposite. The author said countless times that Ram was arrogant, but it’s not really shown. As for Sita, she made her seem weak, but in the original story, Sita is resilient. In terms of the theme about equality and strong women, I’m all for that, but the way it was presented in the novel didn’t really fit that only Kaikeyi could have those qualities and no other woman could. I ended up rating this two stars and wouldn’t recommend it. I could see how people who are not familiar with the original story of Ramayana would love this story, but those who are familiar with the original story like me won’t enjoy it as much.
Disclaimer: I received a finished listening copy from Penguin Random House in exchange for my honest opinion. This has no effect on my opinion, review, or rating.
GoodReads Synopsis: A floundering second-generation teenager growing up in the Bush-era Atlanta suburbs, Neil Narayan is authentic, funny, and smart. He just doesn’t share the same drive as everyone around him. His perfect older sister is headed to Duke. His parents’ expectations for him are just as high. He tries to want this version of success, but mostly, Neil just wants his neighbor across the cul-de-sac, Anita Dayal.
But Anita has a secret: she and her mother Anjali have been brewing an ancient alchemical potion from stolen gold that harnesses the ambition of the jewelry’s original owner. Anjali’s own mother in Bombay didn’t waste the precious potion on her daughter, favoring her sons instead. Anita, on the other hand, just needs a little boost to get into Harvard. But when Neil–who needs a whole lot more–joins in the plot, events spiral into a tragedy that rips their community apart.
Ten years later, Neil is an oft-stoned Berkeley history grad student studying the California gold rush. His high school cohort has migrated to Silicon Valley, where he reunites with Anita and resurrects their old habit of gold theft–only now, the stakes are higher. Anita’s mother is in trouble, and only gold can save her. Anita and Neil must pull off one last heist.
Gold Diggers is a fine-grained, profoundly intelligent, and bitingly funny investigation in to questions of identity and coming of age–that tears down American shibboleths.
Review: I was initially intrigued by Gold Diggers by the vibrant cover and that Mindy Kaling is adapting this novel into a TV series which I’m sure will be amazing! This magical realism novel explores family pressure, mental health, finding your identity, and Indian culture. The writing style in this novel will capture you from page one especially with the complex flawed character and the intriguing backstory of the older generations. The audiobook narrator did an incredible job narrating this novel. The way he did the different characters voices made the story come alive. I loved the audiobook so much that I went out to buy a physical copy from Barnes & Noble to add to my bookshelf last night. Highly recommend picking this one up!
The Lost Apothecary by Sarah Penner Publisher: Park Row Pub Date: 3/2/2021
GoodReads Synopsis: A female apothecary secretly dispenses poisons to liberate women from the men who have wronged them—setting three lives across centuries on a dangerous collision course.
Rule #1: The poison must never be used to harm another woman.
Rule #2: The names of the murderer and her victim must be recorded in the apothecary’s register.
One cold February evening in 1791, at the back of a dark London alley in a hidden apothecary shop, Nella awaits her newest customer. Once a respected healer, Nella now uses her knowledge for a darker purpose—selling well-disguised poisons to desperate women who would kill to be free of the men in their lives. But when her new patron turns out to be a precocious twelve-year-old named Eliza Fanning, an unexpected friendship sets in motion a string of events that jeopardizes Nella’s world and threatens to expose the many women whose names are written in her register.
In present-day London, aspiring historian Caroline Parcewell spends her tenth wedding anniversary alone, reeling from the discovery of her husband’s infidelity. When she finds an old apothecary vial near the river Thames, she can’t resist investigating, only to realize she’s found a link to the unsolved “apothecary murders” that haunted London over two centuries ago. As she deepens her search, Caroline’s life collides with Nella’s and Eliza’s in a stunning twist of fate—and not everyone will survive.
Review: The Lost Apothecary was my March BOTM pick. The storyline and mystery intrigued me. I really loved Nella and Eliza’s historical perspectives which really got me hooked. I could care less about Caroline’s present day perspective which didn’t add any insight to the story. Despite this having a gorgeous cover, this book ended up being a solid three stars for me. If it didn’t have Caroline’s perspective in here, I would have rated it higher.
The Neil Gaiman Reader: Selected Fiction by Neil Gaiman Publisher: William Morrow Pub Date: 10/20/2020
Disclaimer: I received a finished copy of this book from William Morrow in exchange for my honest opinion. This has no effect on my opinion, review, or rating.
GoodReads Synopsis: An outstanding array—52 pieces in all—of selected fiction from the multiple-award-winning, #1 New York Times bestselling author Neil Gaiman, curated by his readers around the world, and introduced with a foreword by Booker Prize-winning author Marlon James
Spanning Gaiman’s career to date, The Neil Gaiman Reader: Selected Fiction is a captivating collection from one of the world’s most beloved writers, chosen by those who know his work best: his devoted readers.
A brilliant representation of Gaiman’s groundbreaking, entrancing, endlessly imaginative fiction, this captivating volume includes excerpts from each of his five novels for adults —Neverwhere, Stardust, American Gods, Anansi Boys, and The Ocean at the End of the Lane—and nearly fifty of his short stories.
Impressive in its depth and range, The Neil Gaiman Reader: Selected Fiction is both an entryway to Gaiman’s oeuvre and a literary trove Gaiman fans old and new will return to many times over.
Review: Neil Gaiman’s latest book, The Neil Gaiman Reader: Selected Fiction, is perfect for Neil Gaiman fans! It’s also a great first book to pick up for readers who never read his work, but are interested in reading fantasy and don’t know where to start. It’s amazing to see how his writing has changed through the years and that he truly can write anything from happy to shivers up your spine type stories. Though the book may seem intimidating by size, don’t let that stop you! There are quite a few stories in here are truly gems. I highly recommend picking this one up regardless of what you read. You won’t regret it!
Asha Reads 